Question

Give a character sketch of mrs. Ruffner

Answer 1

Mrs. Ruffner is Washington’s first employer. She is the wife of the man who owns the salt-furnace and coal-mine in Malden, Virginia, where both Washington and his stepfather work. Though Mrs. Ruffner goes through many servants before Washington and has a reputation for being strict, Washington excitedly accepts her offer of employment. Mrs. Ruffner introduces social strictures that become the foundation of Washington’s ideals for social life.